Hi -- thinking about going to Florida for two months next winter (from Massachusetts)and bringing our two GSD. The alternative would be to go for a month without them. If we leave them, we have a wonderful place they've been going to for years where they get a lot of interaction and never come home stressed. I've had shepherds for 3o years and this is the first place I've ever been able to find, that the dogs come home pretty happy. SO -- is it better for the dogs for us to bring them or to leave them? 3 or 4 days of driving each way, going to a strange house, strange neighborhood, etc etc. We'd have to tow a small trailer because the dogs take up most of the car. But we have found a great house, big fenced yard. Will the trip actually be more stressful than leaving them for a month? Thanks for any advice.

In part, it seems you are aware of most of the issues. Though there is at least one other to consider and that has to do with Florida and dog health risks.

Now, I don't think Florida has less healthy dogs or more at risk dogs than Massachusetts but it is likely to have a few different issues and ones that your dogs are not acclimated to. And a competent Vet should be able to provide meds to address any potential issues.

The trip is manageable if you stop frequently for exercise and bathroom breaks. There are lots of hotels that welcome pets. Dogs adapt to strange locations if their normal rituals such as feeding times and exercise times are more or less constant. Including the drive, probably a week of getting used to stuff for the dogs to settle down.

You are likely to be more stressed than the dogs. But you have a year or so to figure out stuff.

If its a vacation, why not leave the dogs home, fly to Florida, rent a car, and vacation? This sage advice from a fellow who wouldn't leave his mutts unattended by any other than family, and not for more than two or three days at a whack. But then, I am a practiced curmudgeon.

Mike -- thanks. Well, that's the thing, we don't want to leave them for a month. I work at home, etc. so we're all pretty bonded. But I don't want to be stressed half the time either. Everyone is happy to see you walk into a hotel or down the street with a Yorkie or two, but two German Shepherds is another matter. They're pretty well trained, but they're not Rin Tin Tin.

I live in Mass too. This for me is a no brainer....... 2 months free of horrendous winter or 1 month. You'll have about 2 weeks of stress, getting there, returning home and a week for the pups to habituate to their new digs. Or 1 extra month of, the powers out, you shovel out and within minutes you get plowed in. So cold your eyes freeze shut and then there's the snow and the snow and need I say it again the snow.
It sounds like you already know you want to take them based on the house you found. I'm in my car all the time and my pup is with me. I don't think he would even notice if I did an extended road trip it would probably feel like business as usual. You have a year to build your dog's tolerance up to longer car trips if they are not used to it. Also, I find campgrounds are sometimes easier than hotels because I can keep my dog crated in the car overnight since I am right there and the car is a very comfortable place for him. Plus waking up and being outside in a place with lots of interesting smells is a good place to walk for an hour before hitting the road. Not sure how many will be open until you get past DC but it might be worth looking into.

Ive dragged my 2 everywhere we've been for 9 years.
and they love it. That trip in the crate is very highly valued, as it only leads to fun stuff.

That descriptor of your winter is brutal. Run as fast as you can to the sun!

Well this is a little late - but what you're describing sounds like heaven for one of my dogs.. new things! new places! new people! Not so great for the second dog. He likes routine and likes new things in small doses. So, this depends on your dogs. I would do it and hope to do this in the future with mine, only in the opposite direction (travelling north) though mine had a great time on our beach vacation last year. Tips - get a floor level room to avoid time transiting to outside! Reduces the risk that someone's kids/poodle are going to barrel out of an adjoining room Edit: also I have plenty of people who randomly want to love on my large dogs, despite their largeness. Maybe I need to get them some St. Bernard costumes to get a little more free space